14th annual event has country-western theme

Wednesday

This year's Taste of Reynoldsburg will be a "Hoedown in Huber," with a focus on entertainment for the entire family.

This year's Taste of Reynoldsburg will be a "Hoedown in Huber," with a focus on entertainment for the entire family.

Organizer Mary Hudson said the 14th annual free event, hosted by the Reynoldsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held, rain or shine, from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Huber Park, 1520 Davidson Drive.

This is the third year Taste of Reynoldsburg has taken place in Huber Park. Before that, it was held on the grounds of Taylor Road Elementary School.

Hudson said that in addition to the variety of food vendors that will be there, businesses are welcome to purchase space and show off their products and services. She said all food vendors must obtain a health department permit to sell food.

Vendors and businesses can purchase three levels of sponsorship.

The first level costs $150 for just an exhibition table; the second is the "Silver Spur" sponsorship at $350, which includes the placing a company's name on the Taste of Reynoldsburg exhibitor directory and a space in a premium location at the event.

The third level is the "Wild West" sponsorship, which costs $500 and includes a company's logo on the front cover of the exhibitor directory as well as on the event's information banner and two premium exhibit spaces under a tent.

"We're just now getting exhibitors and food vendors signing up, and it looks like we've got a lot more business vendors than last year," Hudson said.

She said visitors will be able to purchase samples of food from a variety of area restaurants and caterers for $1 to $3 each.

Jan Hills, president of the RACC, said the event will offer activities for children and adults, including a tethered hot air balloon ride, weather permitting. There will be face-painting for children and Rick Wagner, of Wagner Insurance, will bring some of the llamas that he raises.

Hills said organizers anticipate this year's Taste of Reynoldsburg will be another great event and are hoping the weather will be a little more pleasant than last year.

The hoedown theme means it's a western theme, Hills said, with bales of hay all around and event organizers and volunteers dressed up like cowboys and cowgirls.

"It was so doggone hot last year, and that's why we kicked it back by a month," Hills said. "Instead of in August, it's now in September, and I think that's going to be good for us.

"Also, having some new food vendors from around town, like the Loving Hut vegan restaurant, Mamajuana's and Temptations Indian Cuisine — this event is a great way for them to get their name out to the public," she said.

Hills said Taste of Reynoldsburg, now in its 14th year, keeps getting better because organizers have gotten good at "knocking out the kinks in the armor" from previous years.

"We've finally figured out how to get this thing to run smoothly, and it's become an anticipated community event," she said. "I mean, the day after the Taste of Reynoldsburg is over, I start getting calls asking when next year's event is, and that never fails. It's geared towards the family environment É it's a feel-good event for everybody."

Information about how to volunteer or to purchase sponsorship space is available from event co-chair Linda Smith at (614) 328-7979.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
ThisWeek Community News ~ 5300 Crosswind Drive, Columbus, OH 43228 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service